Swimming device



Jan, 29 1924. 1,482,033 J. PUKEL SWIMMING DEVICE Filed June 11, 1923 ii atented Jan. 29, 1924.

Lddifilid JOSEPH rUxEL, on NEW roan, n. Y. e

SWIMMING DEV ICE.

Application filed June 11,1923. Serial No. 644,609. I

T 0 aZZ whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, Josnrrr PUKEL, a citizen of United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of L3 New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Swimming Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in devices for accelerating the speed of a swimmer and has as its main object to provide means readily engageablewith the lower limbs of a person whereby the propelling forward effect of limb motion is greatly augmented and the reverse or upward stroke of the limb in no wise retarded.

Another purpose is to produce a device that can be used without additional fatigue, and in which the apparatus used on one limb does not interfere with the other.

A. further object is in the provision of an apparatus so light in weight as to be practically negligible and which is automatic in its operation of opening or closing in accordance with the motion imparted to it by the user.

These several aims are attained by the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereafter described, claimed, and shown 1n the annexed drawing, forming part of this disclosure, and 1n which Figure 1 is a View illustrating the application of embodiments of the lnvention, one being shown in open, operative position and the other as closed.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the device as extended.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

curely in place by a strap 6 fastened to its upper end, passing around the leg and held in adjustment by a buckle or 1 ing 7.

ike fasten- A similar strap 8 is fixed in a like manner at the lower end of the strip to pass around the ankle to which it is adjusted by the buckle 9.

Another strap 10 is attached at its respective ends to the stripand to the strap 8 at the front, the bight of the strap passing under the sole and is adjustably held by the buckle 11.

Fixed to the front of the strip 5, above the lower strap 8, is an angular bracket 12, its outstanding element 13 acting as a support for a bar 14.. 60.

At a point midway in the length of the strip is fastened a rigid shield 15 containing a ring 16 on which. are pivot-ally engaged the inner perforated ends of a plurality of ribs 17 connected centrally of their length by pivoted stretcher rods 18, the converging ends of which are pivotally engaged by a runner 19 freely slidable on the bar 14.

In order to prevent the ribs from folding too closely inward a block 20 is interposed 7 adjacently belowthe shield 15, this block having recesses 21 adapted to maintain the ribs at a slight angle outwardly.

At the outer ends ofthe ribs 17 are secured thin, paddle shaped metallic plates 22 s 'water.

It will be equally apparent that upon raising the strip, the ribs will automatically fold, so that no extra exertion is required in the. forward stroke of the limb, but that the propelling effect of a rearward or downward stroke is greatly intensified and in proportion to the size of the device as expanded. I

Having thus described my invention and set forth the manner of its construction, application and use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A swimming device comprising a strip of material and means associated therewith to secure the same to a persons lower limb above'the foot, a bar fixed on said strip to extend at a spaced distance parallel therewith, a shield fixed to said strip above said bar, ribs pivoted within said shield, a runner on said bar, stretcher rods engaging said ribs with the runner, a covering over said ribs, and means for limiting the folding of said ribs against said bar.

2. A swimming device comprising a wooden strip, straps confining said strip at the bottom and top to a persons ankle,

another strap engaging said strip with the closing in of said ribs, plates extending latfoot, a bar spacedly carried in advance and erilly from the outer ends; of said ribs, and

parallel with said strip, a shield above said a textile covering secured over said plates W bar, converging ribs pivoted in said shield, and 'ribsf 5 a runner slidable on said bar, pivoted conln yvitness whereof I have afiixed my nections between each rib and said runner, signelfilre.

a notched block on said bar limiting the JOSEPH PUKEL. 

